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23 Nights | Departs 24 July 2027
From Japan’s ancient temples and iconic railways to an elegant voyage through East Asia, this extraordinary holiday combines immersive touring, unforgettable scenery and a spectacular Princess Cruises journey.
Discover Japan’s captivating contrasts on an immersive 10-night rail adventure. Explore Osaka’s lively streets and historic castle, reflect at Hiroshima’s moving Peace Memorial Park and cross to beautiful Miyajima Island. Continue to Kyoto to discover ancient shrines, golden temples and the soaring bamboo groves of Arashiyama before travelling through the spectacular Japanese countryside by scenic railway.
Journey to Shizuoka and the foothills of magnificent Mount Fuji before continuing to Tokyo. Here, embark Sapphire Princess for an elegant 11-night voyage around Japan and South Korea, visiting traditional port cities, beautiful gardens, vibrant markets and remarkable natural landscapes.
YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES:
RAIL JOURNEYS
• Bullet Train from Osaka to Hiroshima
• Bullet Train from Hiroshima to Kyoto
• Sagano Romantic Train Journey
• Kyoto to Kanazawa Thunderbird Train
• Bullet Train from Nagoya to Shizuoka
• Southern Alps Abt Scenic Train
ESCORTED TOURS
• Osaka Castle half-day tour
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park half-day tour
• Miyajima Island half-day tour
• Fushimi Inari Shrine and Tea Ceremony
• Kyoto half-day tour including Nijo Castle and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Reserved seat on the Bullet Train
• Kubota Itchiku Art Museum visit
• Views over Oishi Park with Mount Fuji
FULL-BOARD CRUISE
• 11 night full-board cruise on board Sapphire Princess®
HOTEL STAYS (including breakfast)
• 2 night four-star stay in Osaka at the Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
• 2 night four-star stay in Hiroshima at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Hiroshima
• 2 night four-star stay in Kyoto at Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
• 2 night four-star stay in Shizuoka at the Hotel Associa Shizuoka
• 2 night four-star hotel stay in Tokyo at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba
ALL FLIGHTS, TAXES AND TRANSFERS
• Overnight flights ex Perth
ex Brisbane or Adelaide + $200pp
ex Sydney or Melbourne + $500pp
UPGRADES AVAILABLE:
• Enhance your experience onboard Sapphire Princess® with Princess Plus® from $79pp per day
MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, plus Beverage Package, four casual dining meals per guest, OceanNow® delivery, room service delivery
| Cabin Category | COST from (per person, twin share) |
|---|---|
| Interior | $9,499 |
| Oceanview | $10,499 |
| Balcony | $11,999 |
| Mini-Suite | $13,499 |
Fly Overnight to Osaka
Your holiday begins as you fly from Australia to your destination.
Osaka: Hotel Stay
Touch down in Osaka and transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. Japan’s spirited kitchen city greets you with neon-lit streets, canal-side bustle, and an easy, welcoming energy that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
Osaka: Tour & Hotel Stay
Spend the morning at leisure before an afternoon tour of Osaka Castle, the green-roofed fortress at the heart of the city. Its gilded turrets and sweeping grounds tell the story of feudal Japan’s most ambitious warlords.
Hiroshima: Tour & Hotel Stay
Board the bullet train and glide west to Hiroshima, checking in for two nights. A half-day tour introduces a city defined by resilience, where moving memorials and tranquil gardens stand as a quiet testament to peace.
Hiroshima: Tour & Hotel Stay
Cross the water to sacred Miyajima Island, home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its great vermilion torii gate, appearing to float on the tide. Wander the wooded paths where tame deer roam freely.
Kyoto: Tour & Hotel Stay
Transfer to the bullet train for Kyoto, your home for two nights. A half-day coach tour reveals Japan’s cultural soul, a city of imperial palaces, lantern-lit lanes, and more than a thousand temples and shrines.
Kyoto: Tour & Hotel Stay
Today, walk the towering bamboo groves of Arashiyama, admire the raked Zen garden of Ryoanji and the gold-leaf splendour of Kinkakuji, and ride the Sagano Romantic Train through the scenic Hozugawa gorge.
Shizuoka: Hotel Stay
Take the bullet train east to Shizuoka, settling in for two nights. Set against tea-covered hills with Mount Fuji often on the horizon, this coastal prefecture offers a calmer, more rural side of Japan.
Shizuoka: Tour & Hotel Stay
Journey on board the nostalgic Oigawa Railway before connecting to the Southern Alps Abt Line, a charming mountain railway that climbs through dramatic gorges and emerald valleys deep in the heart of Japan’s high country.
Tokyo: Tour & Hotel Stay
Travel to Mount Fuji, Japan’s most sacred and revered peak, for an escorted tour of its lakes and lower slopes. Continue to Tokyo, your base for two nights in the dazzling capital.
Tokyo: Hotel Stay
Enjoy a free day to explore Tokyo at your own pace. Lose yourself in the energy of Shibuya, seek out serene shrines and pristine gardens, or browse the boutiques and backstreets of this endlessly surprising metropolis.
Tokyo: Embark Ship
With an array of entertainment, great dining options, and fantastic activity programmes, it’s no wonder Sapphire Princess® is considered such a gem. The elegant lounges, beautifully designed public spaces, and spacious pool areas provide the perfect atmosphere.
Relax At Sea
Akita
Discover Akita, a northern port framed by mountains and rice fields. Known for its samurai heritage and sake breweries, it offers a glimpse of a quieter, tradition-rich corner of Japan.
Sakata
Once a thriving merchant port, Sakata charms with historic rice warehouses, elegant former geisha houses, and beautifully preserved gardens, all set beside the Mogami River as it meets the Sea of Japan.
Relax At Sea
Kanazawa
Step ashore in Kanazawa, celebrated for Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s three great gardens. Gold-leaf workshops, a preserved samurai district, and atmospheric geisha quarters reward those who linger.
Sakaiminato
Arrive in Sakaiminato, a lively fishing port on the San’in coast. Famed for its fresh seafood and quirky folklore-themed streets, it makes a colourful gateway to the surrounding region.
Busan
Cross to South Korea and the energetic port of Busan. Hillside temples, bustling fish markets, and golden beaches sit side by side in the country’s spirited second city.
Nagasaki
Return to Japan at Nagasaki, a city of poignant history and rich cultural crossover. Its hillside churches and tranquil peace memorial reflect a fascinating story of resilience and renewal.
Kagoshima
Discover Kagoshima, watched over by the smouldering Sakurajima volcano across the bay. Often likened to Naples, this warm southern city pairs dramatic scenery with relaxed hospitality and natural hot springs.
Tokyo: Disembark Ship & Fly Home
Your holiday complete, today you’ll disembark your ship and head to the airport for your flight home
For more information on this amazing holiday package, please contact us via the form below or call us on 1300 786 888.
Immersive Japanese Rail Adventure and Princess Cruises East Asia Voyage | Enquiry
Terms and conditions apply. Please contact Zeppelin Travel for full details. All prices are shown in Australian dollars and are per person based on two adults sharing accommodation. Lead prices include return flights from Perth; supplements apply for departures from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and regional airports. Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability and change without notice. Offer applies to new bookings only. Named hotels are subject to availability and may be replaced with hotels of an equal or higher standard. Holiday duration includes overnight flights and is subject to change. Credit card surcharges may apply. *Luggage transfer is provided when travelling by bullet train to the hotel.
